The Queen dines with Prime Minister at Chequers for first time in 18 years

On Friday 28th February, Her Majesty The Queen, along with The Duke of Edinburgh, attended a luncheon with Prime Minister David Cameron and his wife Samantha at their country home in Buckinghamshire.

Due to the nature of their work, Queen Elizabeth and Prime Minister often meet, usually at Buckingham Palace, or occasionally at a Downing Street function. The Monarch also invites the serving Prime Minister to Balmoral every summer, but it is unusual to see Her Majesty at Chequers, since her last visit was 18 years ago. This makes Mr Cameron the first Prime Minister to invite The Queen to his country home since John Major in 1996.

Chequers, where The Queen dined with David Cameron, is the Prime Minister’s country home in Buckinghamshire

The Royal couple met with Mr and Mrs Cameron at the 1,000 acre estate near Ellesborough in Buckinghamshire, after the discovery of some photographs of Her Majesty’s previous visits to Chequers. These included images showing her talking to former US President, Richard Nixon.

Chequers is owned by The Monarch, but is let out to Prime Ministers as their country home. It is also known as a ‘grace-and-favour’ residence. The country retreat is frequently used to host foreign dignitaries and celebrities, and was first used by Lloyd George in 1921.

During the visit, The Duke of Edinburgh planted a tree outside the Tudor mansion, just like The Queen did at her last visit. A Downing Street spokesman has said the Prime Minister thought it a ‘nice thing to do’ as the Royals’ visits are so rare.

Photos published of the visit show Mr and Mrs Cameron and The Queen and Prince Philip admiring a wall of photographs of former Prime Ministers within the Tudor home, which included twelve photos of Her Majesty from throughout her long reign.

Lunch, fittingly regal, comprised of a Scottish smoked salmon starter, a roast lamb main, and bread and butter pudding, followed by cheese and biscuits. To round off the lunch, David Cameron tweeted: ‘Delighted to host Her Majesty the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh for lunch at Chequers today.’

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